On Tuesday, February 17th, Chef Daniel Boulud, Herb Karlitz and I all helped Citymeals commemorate the first anniversary of Chefs Deliver by delivering meals to our homebound elderly neighbors in Harlem. The day’s menu was a collaboration between Chef Boulud and myself – fried yard bird, greens and grits plus apple and raspberry clafoutis.

We started the day off at Red Rooster, where we announced that tickets were officially on sale for Harlem EatUp! – a new, 4-day festival in May celebrating the food, culture, and community of one of my favorite NYC neighborhoods. Citymeals is one of two charity beneficiaries of the events, including:

Culinary Demos: Fun chef-led events to teach you tricks of the trade, new cooking techniques, or how to make a new favorite dish.

Walk-Around Tastings: On Saturday, Harlem’s food, art and culture will converge in Morningside Park with The Stroll. Return the next day for A Sunday Afternoon in Harlem with fare inspired by the home of the “Gospel Brunch.”

Overall, the day was a huge success. Citymeals is an incredible organization – I’m proud to be one of their many supporters in the chef community. Stay tuned for more info on the Harlem EatUp! festival coming this spring!

By Sarah Williams | April 21, 2014

Photo by Luca & Bosco Ice CreamWe had the pleasure of tasting Lu

We had the pleasure of tasting Luca & Bosco Ice Cream earlier this month at the Harlem Helps Benefit in Ginny’s Supper Club. With a unique flavor palate, Harlem- based Luca & Bosco Ice Cream has been captivating New Yorkers since its inception in 2012. We were able to catch up with Ruthie and Catherine, the founders of Luca & Bosco, to learn more about their sweet business.

On Wednesday night, the Harlem community and beyond joined together to raise up our neighbors who had suffered the terrible explosion at E 116th and Park Ave. weeks ago. Through ticket sales, raffles, and auctions, we were able to raise over $50,000 to support the efforts of the American Red Cross of Greater New York in aiding the survivors. And those who could not give money gave their time, effort, and goodwill, all of which made the benefit a truly a night to remember.

In light of the tragic East Harlem explosion at 116th St. / Park Ave on the morning of March 12, 2014, we at Red Rooster Harlem are responding with assistance for our neighbors. To that end, on the evening of April 2, we are hosting a fundraiser to aid these families and individuals in their hour of need.

Hosted by Marcus Samuelsson, Aaron Sanchez, and Amanda Freitag, the evening will feature a cocktail party at Ginny’s Super Club with live entertainment to celebrate the Harlem community. Ticket proceeds will go directly to the survivors of the collapse via American Red Cross in Greater NY: East Harlem Collapse Relief to aid the families with daily necessities and resources for recovery.

“For so long Harlem had just been an idea to me, found in books and music when growing up in Sweden and then working in France. It was Langston Hughes and Miles Davis, the Apollo and the Y, and Malcolm X sitting in a dark corner of Small’s Paradise. It was the center of black culture, the center of cool, a place so remote to me in Europe that I could hardly imagine it. Now I was here, feeling it.”

Culture and food go hand in hand, and it has always played a major role in the way people eat. Food brings people together and once cultures cross, more and more people want to know and learn about, not only the food, but the people and things that make the food special. New York City is the home of diversity and it’s only natural to want to embrace culture and food when here. Everyday when you enter the doors of Red Rooster Harlem, you never know what cultures you will find. One day you maybe having lunch next to a born and bred New Yorker, and when you come back for dinner you may dine next to someone from Australia. This is whats so great about culture, you learn something everyday. Read More

The drink menu offers up a variety of signatures and classics such as the Rooster Colada and the Harlem Mule. Wine by the glass and a variety of beers are also available on the menu, along with a fully constructed menu and live entertainment. Don’t miss the incredible Ethiopian rock group Jano Band when they perform this Wednesday, August 28th. Get tickets here.

There is always something going on in Harlem, which is why it’s all the more reason to be a part of the scene. From now through August 30th, Harlem Park to Park presents Harlem Restaurant and Retail Week. Participating restaurants and retailers will be offering prix fixe selections and discounts. Along with the list of Harlem restaurant participants, Red Rooster Harlem will continue to offer its lunch prix fixe for $20.13. Get out and enjoy all this amazing neighborhood has to offer!

The memo is steadily being passed around that Harlem is now the place to be for dining. Within the hot summer months, several new restaurants are popping up all over Harlem and current restaurants are switching things up and changing not only the menu items, but also adding additional touches. With new restaurants coming uptown, you can literally eat at a different establishment every night, have a new experience and also have a great time. Whatever you are craving, whether it be Italian, African, Soul Food or a variety of beers, Harlem is continuously growing the food scene. Check out these5 new places to dine Uptown. Read More

Newsletter

By Suzannah Schneider

Meet the Team

Whether it’s finding the best goat tacos in LA, spotting a well-worn vintage bag in Sweden, or interviewing the “crab man” selling seafood on a corner in Harlem, we tell stories seen from Chef Marcus Samuelsson‘s point of view. MarcusSamuelsson.com strives to create conversations about food, nutrition, culture, art, and design. We want to find Read More